Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)
Repetitive stress injuries build up gradually from doing the same task repeatedly, whether that is typing, using a mouse, working on a trade tool, or repeating a movement in training. The tissue is not given enough recovery to keep up with the load, and metabolic waste builds up which leads to tissue damage, pain and irritation,
At Lionheart in Collingwood, we see a lot of people whose RSI has crept up slowly, been ignored while it was manageable, and then reached the point where it affects work and everyday tasks.
The good news is that RSI responds well when you address the actual drivers: the overload, improper technique, inadequate recovery, and the way the body shares loads. Rest alone rarely fixes it, because the moment you return to the same cycle of movements the problem returns.
Common Repetitive Strain Injuries We Treat
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Signs You Should Seek Support
During pregnancy or postpartum, it's worth getting assessed by a physiotherapist if you have:
Pelvic, groin, or lower back pain that's affecting your daily function or sleep
Any leaking of urine or difficulty controlling the bladder or bowel
Heaviness, pressure, or a bulge in the pelvic area
A visible gap or ridge down the centre of your abdomen with exertion
Pain with sex or pelvic examinations
Back or neck pain from feeding or carrying
Uncertainty about when and how to return to exercise
A physiotherapy assessment around six to eight weeks after birth is valuable for understanding how your body is recovering and for returning to movement and exercise with more clarity and confidence.
How We Support You At LIT
Physiotherapy assessment during and after pregnancy covers pelvic floor function, abdominal wall integrity, pelvic girdle and spinal mechanics, and overall lower limb loading. The goal is to identify what's driving any symptoms, provide hands-on treatment where appropriate, and give you a clear understanding of what your body needs and what it can safely handle at each stage.
Remedial massage during pregnancy is safe from the first trimester and can be deeply beneficial for the back, hip, and shoulder tension that builds over the course of a pregnancy. Our therapists use positioning and techniques suited to each stage of pregnancy. Postnatally, massage is particularly effective for the thoracic and cervical tension that comes with feeding and carrying, and supports overall nervous system recovery during what can be a physically and emotionally demanding period.
DNS works with developmental movement patterns that are directly relevant to both pregnancy and postpartum recovery. In pregnancy, DNS can help with pelvic stability and load management as the body changes. Postnatally, it offers a structured, gentle way to rebuild deep core function particularly useful for people managing diastasis recti or pelvic floor dysfunction where conventional core exercises like crunches or planks are not yet appropriate.
Movement therapy offers more personalised support for rebuilding strength, confidence and stability through pregnancy and postpartum recovery. Sessions are tailored to your stage, symptoms and capacity, helping you improve posture, pelvic stability, breath control and whole-body movement quality through guided, progressive exercise. For many people, this becomes an important bridge between treatment and returning to regular movement, training and daily life with greater ease.
Yoga can be a wonderful support to ensure a happier mother and healthier child during pregnancy and into the postpartum period. Our Yoga Therapist Divya offers movement based support that adapts to where you are physically modified postures during pregnancy that respect the changing body and build the strength and awareness that supports birth, and postnatal work that focuses on gradual reloading, pelvic floor integration, and building back a sense of ease and confidence in movement. This guided, mindful movement is where people find the most consistent relief and recovery.
Pregnancy and the postpartum period can be physically demanding, emotionally intense and deeply taxing on the nervous system. Reiki offers a gentle complementary approach that can help settle the system, reduce internal stress and support a greater sense of calm, grounding and ease. Alongside the more physical aspects of treatment, Reiki can be a valuable way to restore balance and create space for deeper rest during a season of constant change.
What to Expect at Your First Appointment
The first session will start with a conversation relevant to how many weeks along, what your birth plan is, what symptoms you're experiencing, and what you want from the appointment. From there, the assessment is thorough but always paced to what's comfortable and relevant for you.
You'll leave with a clear picture of what's going on and practical steps to take. The emphasis at every appointment is on giving you information and tools you can actually use not just in the clinic, but day to day.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes. Physiotherapy including manual therapy, soft tissue bodywork, and exercise prescription is safe throughout pregnancy when delivered by a trained clinician who understands the relevant precautions. Jesse will always take a full history and modify treatment as appropriate for your stage of pregnancy.
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For most people, a physiotherapy review at six to eight weeks postpartum is a good starting point. If you're experiencing significant symptoms pain, leaking, heaviness earlier is better. There's no benefit in waiting if something is bothering you.
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This varies significantly depending on the birth, whether there were tears or a C-section, feeding demands, sleep, and many other factors. As a general guide, the first twelve weeks involves significant tissue healing. Most people are ready to progress exercise more meaningfully from three to four months. But these are guidelines — individual assessment is much more useful than a generic timeline.
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Yes. We offer Yoga Therapy and Prenatal yoga which is widely recommended and well-suited to the demands of pregnancy when taught by someone who understands the modifications needed. Divya can guide you through a practice that's appropriate for your stage of pregnancy and any symptoms you have.
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No. Book directly online or call 0468 496 596.
A Supported Mother Supports a Healthy Beginning
The focus during pregnancy and after birth tends to fall almost entirely on the baby. Your physical wellbeing is just as important and investing in it now pays dividends for years. Our Collingwood team is here to help you move through this period as comfortably as possible and come out the other side feeling strong.
Book your pre or post partum physiotherapy assessment today.
188–190 Johnston Street, Collingwood, Melbourne
0468 496 596